Job Posting Title:

Writer

Hiring Department:

University Marketing and Communications

Position Open To:

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details:

Purpose

The Writer is a key member of the UT News team in University Marketing and Communications (UMAC), creating content in a variety of formats for University channels. This position will work closely with colleagues within UMAC and across the University to identify and craft stories about UT’s people, programs, achievements and more – from research news to student profiles to features about classes. The Writer will focus primarily on writing engaging and impactful editorial content for various platforms, including web, email, social media and print. The ideal candidate will have a passion for storytelling and an aptitude for creating different content pieces to promote the University.

General Notes

Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

Serve as an in-house reporter, finding and pitching story ideas covering a range of topics, colleges, schools and units, and in a variety of formats.
Write stories for UT News and other digital properties: quick-turn news and press releases; longer features; short-form lists; interviews/Q&As; short features; etc., ensuring accuracy and quality and obtaining appropriate approvals throughout.
Write for other content formats, including video scripts, newsletter blurbs, web copy, etc., for marketing campaigns.
Work closely with all UMAC teams – media relations, content, social media, design/creative, multimedia, digital, academic and internal comms – on story planning and distribution.
Source and collaborate on visual assets to accompany written stories.
Explore and incorporate new and creative storytelling methods.
Work closely and collaboratively with communications and marketing teams across the University, as well as the faculty, students, staff, researchers and leaderships within those colleges, schools and units.
Participate in all stages of the editorial cycle: editorial calendar development and planning, idea generation and brainstorming, interviewing, writing, editing and distribution.
Other related functions as assigned

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, English, Marketing, or related communications field.
At least 3 years of professional experience as writer, reporter/journalist, copywriter, or related position.
Strong attention to detail and proven ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

More than 3 years of professional experience as a writer, reporter/journalist, copywriter, or related position.
Familiarity with AP Style.
Knowledge of SEO best practices, social media and other digital promotional strategies.
Experience writing for institutions of higher education.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Salary Range

$65,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

This is an Austin-based position and is on-site, with daily campus presence needed to effectively source and report stories.
Must have access to reliable transportation.
Occasional travel may be required.
May work around standard office conditions.
Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
Some evenings and weekends may be required during peak periods.

Required Materials

Resume/CV
3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
Letter of interest
3 writing samples (one sample must be an editorial/storytelling piece)

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

The University of Texas at Austin

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